Here goes

here goes

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by
chris
, 22-07-2012 at 05:05 PM (4856 Views)
Finally I have my first Warré hive, complete with 4 boxes (best to be optimistic).In the end I decided to go with top bars rather than frames, but that can be changed over later.It was made for me by Frank down the road who is very skilled with wood and only charged 2 rabbits. I've been rubbing it all over the inside with wax and propolis and the entrance with a lemon smelling plant- verveine citronnelle. I think it's too late to catch a decent swarm this year, but my wife says that it looks nice, so I can keep it in the garden- provided there are no bees in it. Anyway,I'll post here from time to time on its progress-my main aim is to convince the sceptics that it can be a viable hive. Hmm.
I've named it Nellie.

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  1. gavin's Avatar
    Do you think that it helps your attempt to convince sceptics by calling it Nellie?! I can see that I'm going to enjoy reading this blog.
  2. Jon's Avatar
    Thank God there is no top bar hive or warré bearing my name - yet.
    If I hear to the contrary i will have to speak to my lawyer.

    I take it your warré is hirsute?
  3. Neils's Avatar
    I'm honoured... I think

    For what it's worth I think it's a perfectly viable hive, if you live in the desolate, unpopulated countryside of France.

    My concerns around them, as with TBHs is not the hive itself by the mythology peddled by some around them, especially with Warré's and swarming in an Urban setting.

    the whole Nadiring shenanigans aren't for me either even though it makes perfect sense, generally speaking I like the path of least resistance and I'm not keen on honey from brood frames.

    All that being said I am looking forward to hear what you make of it and how you get on with it once you've got some bees in the thing.

    I will let you into a secret, I know both Top Bar and Warré beekeepers and I get on fine with them and go have a look at their hives with them now and again and they come to mine. I've even been known to help Top Bar Beekeepers with their hives if they ask me. Just because I don't personally like their choice of hive that much doesn't mean I'm a complete git towards people who ask for help, advice or a second opinion
  4. Jon's Avatar
    I got a look in a top bar hive for the first time a few weeks ago.
    It had nice comb but hardly any bees as it had lost a prime swarm and a couple of casts.
    In this case the fault was the swarmy nature of the stock rather than any fault of the hive itself.
  5. chris's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by gavin
    Do you think that it helps your attempt to convince sceptics by calling it Nellie?! .
    Hi Gavin. Actually, I'm pretty sceptical about it!! But the theory feels right. The last time I felt so enthusiastic about beekeeping was when I started out. And I won't go into the pitfalls that followed on. Jon, my hive is totally bald, but I couldn't find a monkey hat to fit it, so Nellie it is.
  6. Jon's Avatar
    Here mate!! I'm not totally bald. Only the very top bit.
  7. The Drone Ranger's Avatar
    By the way Chris I hope Storch doesn't have any relatives at the forum entrance
  8. The Drone Ranger's Avatar
    Hows progress with the Warre going
  9. chris's Avatar
    Really well- the cat just loves that sloping roof in the sun. Haven't lost a single colony yet